Methods and apparatus for magnetically coupled hanger and placard for motor vehicles

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus are disclosed for magnetically connecting a placard to a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a magnetic hanger which connects to the stem of the rearview mirror. A magnetic placard adapter removably receives a hanging portion of a standard placard. The magnetic placard adapter is removably connectable to the magnetic hanger. The magnetic placard adapter is magnetically connected to the magnetic hanger. In other embodiments, the placard itself is formed with a magnetic portion to form a magnetic placard that magnetically couples to the magnetic hanger, directly without the need for the magnetic placard adapter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This United States (U.S.) patent application claims the benefit and is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/161,176 filed on May20, 2016 by Sears Latifzada, titled MAGNETICALLY COUPLED HANGER ANDPLACARD FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,852,664 onDec. 26, 2017.

FIELD

The embodiments of the invention generally relate to holders fordisplaying a placard or other printed substrate in the interior of amotor vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle passes often must be displayed in motor vehicles when the motorvehicle enters or is parked in a restricted area. The vehicle passoftentimes takes the form of a plastic placard which bears writtenauthorization information. The placard must be displayed in a prominentlocation so that the operators of the restricted area can view theplacard from outside the vehicle. The rearview mirror of the motorvehicle adjacent or coupled to a front window provides a convenientplace to attach the placard.

In many instances the placards cannot be permanently mounted to themotor vehicle (e.g. to comply with visibility or other regulations),such when the motor vehicle is operated on the highway, and needs to bedismounted. Between uses, the placard is often stowed away in the glovecompartment of the motor vehicle.

Placards are often used by individuals with medical conditions,disabilities, or handicaps to allow them to park in handicap reservedparking spaces adjacent buildings. However, for such individuals, theplacards may be difficult to mount and dismount from a rearview mirrordue to their condition, disability, or handicap. Accordingly, there is aneed to improve placards.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The embodiments of the invention are summarized by the claims thatfollow below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments, adescription thereof will be understood by reference to specificembodiments which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 a front view of a magnetic hanger.

FIGS. 2A-2C are views of a magnetic placard adapter.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an embodiment of a magnetic placard including anon-magnetic placard coupled to a magnetic placard adapter.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a magnetic placard hanging system including amagnetic hanger coupled to an embodiment of a magnetic placard includinga magnetic placard adapter.

FIGS. 5A-5B are views of the magnetic hanger assembled from left toright and right to left onto the stem of a rearview mirror.

FIG. 5C is a view with the magnetic hanger being assembled from the toponto the stem of a rearview mirror.

FIG. 5D is a side view with the magnetic hanger of FIG. 1 assembled tothe stem of the rearview mirror and magnetically coupled to the magneticplacard of FIG. 3 including the magnetic placard adapter and thenon-magnetic placard.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a magnetic placard having a magnet memberencapsulated or imbedded into a portion of the body of the magneticplacard.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a magnetic placard hanging system with themagnetic placard of FIG. 6 magnetically coupled to the magnetic hangerof FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a magnetic placard.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another alternate embodiment of a magneticplacard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding. However, it will beobvious to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the inventionmay be practiced without these specific details. In other instances wellknown methods, procedures, and components have not been described indetail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

The embodiments disclosed include a method, apparatus and system forremovably coupling a placard to the rearview mirror of a motor vehicle.The device is conveniently and removably attachable to the stem of therearview mirror, and is capable of holding placards and other such itemsof different dimensions and configurations. In accordance with oneembodiment, the device includes a magnetic hanger that connects to thestem of the rearview mirror, and a magnetic placard adapter that isremovably magnetically connectable to the magnetic hanger. The magneticplacard adapter clamps to a non-magnetic placard with a pair of opposinghook and loop material fasteners. The connection of the magnetic placardadapter to the magnetic hanger employs magnetic elements or a magneticmember.

The term “magnetic member” is used herein to mean a member which iseither magnetized by including a form of a magnetic material or is madefrom an attractive metallic material or metallic alloy material which isattracted by a magnet (such as iron). The magnetic material may be asolid magnet, a flexible magnet, a granular magnet or a magnetic powderthat is encapsulated into a body material, such as plastic or a polymer.The attractive material may be a solid, granular, or powder form that isencapsulated into a body material, such as plastic or a polymer. Aportion of a body including a magnetic member may be referred to as amagnetic portion. The body material is preferably a plastic or polymer,such as a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer, including but not limitedto polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polycarbonate,polyurethane, polyetheretherketone, polyimide, polyetherimide.

In accordance with an aspect of the embodiments, a magnetic placardadapter is magnetically connectable to the magnetic hanger. Inaccordance with another aspect of the invention, a first magnetic memberis included in a portion of the body of the magnetic hanger. Themagnetic placard adapter has another portion of its body that includes asecond magnetic member. The first and second magnetic members cooperateto effect the magnetic connection of the magnetic placard adapter holderto the magnetic hanger. Other aspects of the embodiments will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the invention.

Placard with Magnetic Placard Adapter

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5B, a first embodiment of a device and systemfor magnetically connecting a placard 300A to a stem 520 of a rearviewmirror 500 in a motor vehicle is disclosed.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a magnetic hanger 100 is shown that includes abody 114 with a supporting portion 112 and a magnetic portion 122separated by a straight edge 124 along openings 120,128. Overall thehanger 100 is formed of a flexible plastic with a magnetic powder beingmixed in with the flexible plastic in the magnetic portion 122.

Exemplary dimensions of the magnetic hanger are 4 inches in width and3.5 inches in height. The slide slit 120 has a 0.75 inch opening that is2 inches below the top edge. The top edge 126 is 1.25 inches in length.The bottom edge 124 is 2.25 inches in length. The radius of thesemicircle forming the center opening 128 and semicircle edge is 0.75inches.

The body 114 of the magnetic hanger 100 includes a center opening 128with a side slit 120. The side slit 120 allows the magnetic hanger 100to be slid over a stem of a rearview mirror so that the center opening128 mounts the magnetic hanger 100 to the stem. The body 114 includes asemi-circle edge 140, a slanted edge 138, and straight edges 124, 126about the center opening 128 and side slit 120. The slanted edge 138directs the stem 520 of the mirror up into the semi-circle edge 140 ofthe center opening 128. The supporting portion 112 of the body cansupport the additional weight magnetically coupled to the magneticportion 122 of the magnetic hanger 100.

The center opening 128 and the side slit 120 provide the action to slidethe magnetic hanger 100 onto the stem 520 of the mirror 500. Furtheraction to ratchet the body 114 around the stem 520 and align the centeropening 128 of the magnetic hanger 100 onto the stem 520. A ratchetingeffect may level the magnetic hanger 100 onto the stem 520 in certaincases.

The magnetic hanger 100 may be coupled to a rearview mirror of a motorvehicle in different ways. In one method, the user may slide themagnetic hanger 100 from left to right over the shaft of the rearviewmirror. In another method, the user may slide the magnetic hanger 100from right to left over the shaft of the rearview mirror. In anothermethod, the user may slide the magnetic hanger 100 from top to bottomover the shaft of the rearview mirror. When sliding from left to rightor right to left, the shaft of the rearview mirror bumps into the edge138 and is directed to the semi-circle 140 to come to rest in the centeropening 128. When sliding from top to bottom, the shaft of the rearviewmirror bumps into the edge 138, is directed to the semi-circle 140, androtates (ratcheting effect) so that the magnetic portion 122 issubstantially parallel to ground coming to rest in the center opening128, such as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, a magnetic placard adapter (placardholder) 200 is shown for adapting a standard non-magnetic placard 300A(e.g., see FIG. 3) to magnetically couple to the magnetic hanger 100shown in FIG. 1. The magnetic placard adapter 200 couples to the hookportion 348 of the standard placard 300A as shown in FIG. 3. Whencoupled together, the magnetic placard adapter and the non-magneticplacard may be referred to herein as a magnetic placard.

The magnetic placard adapter 200 has first fastening half 232 and asecond fastening half 234 coupled together along a resilient foldablehinge 210. The first fastening half includes a first jaw 240 and a firsttab 242. The second fastening half 234 includes a second jaw 238 and asecond tab 236. The first fastening half 232 and the second fasteninghalf 234 are folded together along the foldable hinge 210 so that thefirst tab and the second tab can couple together.

First jaw 240 and second jaw 238 are shaped to removably receive thehook portion 348 of the placard 300A. The first jaw 240 and second jaw238 are folded together along the foldable hinge 210 to receive placard300A and hold placard 300A in place by tab 242 and a second tab 236. Thefirst and second jaws 240,238 are each impregnated or encapsulate amagnetic material. The magnetic material of the first and second jaws240,238 can couple to the magnetic material in the magnetic portion 122of the magnetic hanger 100.

A small loop or hook fastener fabric 246 is coupled to one tab of thefirst fastening half. Respectively, a small hook or loop fastener fabric244 is coupled to the second tab of the second fastening half. The loopfastener fabric couples to the hook fastener fabric. When the tabs242,236 are pressed together, the fastener fabrics 244,246 adhere to oneanother coupling the first fastening half 232 and the second fasteninghalf 234 together. The tabs 242,236 can be pulled on to separate theloop fastener fabric and the hook fastener fabric to decouple the firstfastening half 232 from the second fastening half 234.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the magnetic placard adapter 200 is coupled tothe placard 300A to form one embodiment of a magnetic placard. Theplacard 300A includes a hook portion 348, a neck portion 350 and adisplay portion 352. The neck portion 350 joins the hook portion 348 andthe display portion 352 together. The magnetic placard adapter 200 iscoupled to the hook portion 348 of the placard 300A.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5D, the magnetic placard adapter 200 iscoupled to the hook portion 348 of the placard 300A as follows. A centerof an outer arc 344 of the hook portion 348 is but up against thefoldable hinge 210. The first fastening half 232 and the secondfastening half 234 are folded along the foldable hinge 210 over the hookportion 348 of the placard 300A. The size of the magnetic placardadapter 200 is such that the first jaw 240 and the second jaw 238 alignsomewhat in parallel sandwiching part of the hook portion 348 betweenthe outer arc 344 and an inner arc 346 of the hook portion 348.

Somewhat aligned parallel together, the tabs 236,242 extend beyond theinner arc 346 of the hook portion 348 into an open region between thehook portion 348 and the display portion 352. Recall that the tabs236,242 each have opposite hook and loop material 244,246 as describedherein. To fasten the magnetic placard adapter 200 to the hook portionof the placard, the tabs 242,236 are squeezed together so that the hooksand loops of the opposing hook and loop material 244,246 are coupledtogether within the open region between the between the hook portion 348and the display portion 352.

The display portion 352 of the placard 300A illustrates a handicapparking pass which is made from a sheet of plastic. However, it may beappreciated that display portion 352 of the placard 300A could takeother forms, such as a sheet of paper, air freshener, a task list, anadvertisement, a map, or any other generally flat object which is to betemporarily displayed in a vehicle.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a magnetic placard hanging system 400 is shown.The magnetic placard hanging system 400 includes a placard 300A, amagnetic placard adapter 200, and a magnetic hanger 100. The magneticplacard adapter 200 is coupled to the placard 300A forming an embodimentof a magnetic placard. The magnetic placard adapter 200 is magneticallycoupled to the magnetic hanger 100.

The magnetic material of the first and second jaws 240,238 ismagnetically coupled to the magnetic material in the magnetic portion122 of the magnetic hanger 100. This holds the magnetic placard adapter200 and placard 300A removably coupled to the magnetic hanger 100. Auser need only apply a nominal force to overcome the magnetic force anddisconnect the magnetic placard adapter 200 from the magnetic hanger100. A user can use one hand to grasp a portion of the placard 300A andpull down to separate the magnetic portion of the magnetic placardadapter 200 from the magnetic portion of the magnetic hanger 100.

The magnetic placard adapter 200 is removably connectable to the placard300A using the loop and hook tabs 242,236. The loop and hook tabs242,236 can be pulled apart to disconnect the magnetic placard adapter200 from the placard 300A such as when the expiration date of theplacard has passed and a new placard needs to be attached.

A magnetic attraction exists between magnets of opposite polarity.Magnetic attraction further exists between a magnet and a ferrous metalsuch as iron. Magnets may take on a solid or a flexible form. Magnetsmay be in a powder or granular form such as aluminum-nickel-cobalt(ALNICO) powder or neodymium powder to mix with other materials. Ironmay be in a powder or granular form as well, such as iron filings, tomix with other materials. The powder or granular form of magnets may bemixed into a flexible plastic or polymer. The powder or granular form ofiron may be mixed into a flexible plastic or polymer. A magneticattraction also exists between a solid or flexible magnet and a magneticpowder.

Portions of magnetic hanger 100, placard 300A and the magnetic placardadapter 200 are formed of a flexible plastic or a flexible polymer. Inone embodiment, the magnetic portion 122 of the magnetic hanger 100 andthe magnetic jaws 242, 236 of the magnetic placard adapter 200 areformed by a magnetic powder mixed into the flexible plastic or polymer.In another embodiment, the magnetic portion 122 of the magnetic hanger100 and the magnetic jaws 242, 236 of the magnetic placard adapter 200are formed by encapsulating polar opposite magnets in the flexibleplastic or polymer. In another embodiment, the magnetic portion 122 ofthe magnetic hanger 100 is formed by a magnetic powder mixed into theflexible plastic or polymer and the magnetic jaws 242, 236 of themagnetic placard adapter 200 are formed by iron filings mixed into theflexible plastic or polymer. In another embodiment, the magnetic portion122 of the magnetic hanger 100 is formed by iron filings mixed into theflexible plastic or polymer and the magnetic jaws 242, 236 of themagnetic placard adapter 200 are formed by a magnetic powder mixed intothe flexible plastic or polymer. In another embodiment, the magneticportion 122 of the magnetic hanger 100 is formed by encapsulating amagnet into the flexible plastic or polymer and the magnetic jaws 242,236 of the magnetic placard adapter 200 are formed by iron filings ormagnetic powder mixed into the flexible plastic or polymer. In anotherembodiment, the magnetic portion 122 of the magnetic hanger 100 isformed by iron filings or magnetic powder mixed into the flexibleplastic or polymer and the magnetic jaws 242, 236 of the magneticplacard adapter 200 are formed by encapsulating a magnet into theflexible plastic or polymer.

FIG. 5A is a front view of the magnetic hanger 100 coupled to the mirror500 by sliding the magnetic hanger 100 from left to right over the stem520 of the mirror 500. When sliding from left to right, the shaft of therearview mirror bumps into the edge 138 and is directed to thesemi-circle 140 to come to rest in the center opening 128.

FIG. 5B is a front view with the magnetic hanger 100 coupled to themirror 500 by sliding the magnetic hanger 100 from right to left overthe stem 520 of the mirror 500. When sliding from right to left, theshaft of the rearview mirror bumps into the edge 138 and is directed tothe semi-circle 140 to come to rest in the center opening 128.

FIG. 5C is a front view with the magnetic hanger 100 coupled to themirror 500 by sliding the magnetic hanger from top to bottom onto thestem 520 of the mirror 500. When sliding from top to bottom, the shaftof the rearview mirror bumps into the edge 138, is directed to thesemi-circle 140, and rotates (ratcheting effect) so that the magneticportion 122 is substantially parallel to ground coming to rest in thecenter opening 128.

Referring now to FIG. 5D, a side view of the magnetic hanger system 400coupled to the stem 520 of the rearview mirror 500. The magnetic hanger100 of the magnetic hanger system 400 is coupled to the stem 520 of therearview mirror 500. The magnetic placard adapter 200 as assembled tothe placard 300A of the magnetic hanger system 400 is magneticallycoupled to the magnetic portion 122 of the magnetic hanger 100.

Magnetic Placard

FIG. 3 illustrates a placard 300A coupled to a magnetic placard adapter200 to form an embodiment of a magnetic placard. The magnetic jaws ofthe magnetic placard adapter 200 can be integrated into the placard inan alternate embodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a front view of a magnetic placard 300B isshown. The magnetic placard 300B includes a hook portion 648, a neckportion 350 and a display portion 352. The neck portion 350 joins thehook portion 648 and the display portion 352 together.

A magnetic material (magnetic member) 654 is imbedded in the hookportion 648 of the magnetic placard 300B. The magnetic material 654 maybe a magnetic powder mixed into the flexible plastic or polymer. Inanother embodiment, the magnetic material 654 may be iron filings mixedinto the flexible plastic or polymer. In another embodiment, themagnetic material 654 may be formed by encapsulating a solid or flexiblemagnet into the flexible plastic or polymer.

The magnetic material 654 is mixed into the plastic polymer to form thehook portion 648 of the magnetic placard 300B. The neck portion 350 andthe display portion 352 lack the magnetic material 654.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a magnetic placard hanging system 700 is shownfor magnetically connecting the magnetic placard 300B to a stem of arearview mirror in a motor vehicle. The magnetic placard hanging system700 includes the magnetic placard 300B and the magnetic hanger 100.

The hook portion 648 of the magnetic placard 300B with the magneticmaterial 654 is magnetically (and removably) coupled to the magneticportion 122 of the magnetic hanger 100. The magnetic placard 300B can bereadily disconnected from the magnetic hanger 100 with a minor forcethat individuals can easily exert, including most of those with somesort of disability or handicap.

Alternate Magnetic Placards

In an alternate embodiment, the placards 300A,300B may instead be adocument holder with a clear plastic receiver to receive a document andmagnetically couple to the magnetic hanger 100.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a front view of a magnetic document holdingplacard 300C is shown. The magnetic document holding placard 300Cincludes a clear plastic envelope 800 coupled to a magnetic connector880. The magnetic connector 880 includes a magnetic portion 860 and neckportion 870. The clear plastic envelope 800 is coupled to the magneticconnector 800 near an end of the neck portion 870. The magnetic portion860 includes a magnetic material 865.

The clear plastic envelope 800 includes a sleeve opening 840 and twosides 842F,842B sealed together along three edges 844A, 844B, 844C. Thebackside 842B of the clear plastic envelope 800 couples to the neckportion 870. The sleeve opening 840 allows one to insert a flat document820 between the front side 842F and the backside 842B of the clearplastic envelope 800.

The magnetic material 865 is imbedded in the magnetic portion 860 of themagnetic connector 880 of the magnetic document holding placard 300C.The magnetic material 865 may be a magnetic powder mixed into theflexible plastic or polymer. The magnetic powder may be analuminum-nickel-cobalt (ALNICO) powder or a neodymium powder. In anotherembodiment, the magnetic material 865 may be iron filings mixed into theflexible plastic or polymer. In another embodiment, the magneticmaterial 865 may be formed by encapsulating a magnet into the flexibleplastic or polymer. The encapsulated magnet would have the oppositepolarity of an encapsulated magnet in the magnetic portion of themagnetic hanger 100.

In another alternate embodiment, the placards 300A,300B may instead be adocument holder with a fastening system to receive a document andmagnetically couple it to the magnetic hanger 100.

Referring now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of a placard is shown thatcan couple to the magnetic hanger 100. A front view of a magneticplacard 300D is shown. The magnetic placard 300D includes a fastenerportion 920, a neck portion 970, and a magnetic portion 960. Themagnetic placard 300D is coupled to a document 935 for display from arear view mirror of a motor vehicle.

A magnetic material 965 is imbedded in the magnetic portion 960 of themagnetic placard 300D. The magnetic material 965 may be a magneticpowder mixed into the flexible plastic or polymer. The magnetic powdermay be an aluminum-nickel-cobalt (ALNICO) powder or a neodymium powder.In another embodiment, the magnetic material 965 may be iron filingsmixed into the flexible plastic or polymer. In another embodiment, themagnetic material 965 may be formed by encapsulating a magnet into theflexible plastic or polymer. The encapsulated magnet would have theopposite polarity of an encapsulated magnet in the magnetic portion ofthe magnetic hanger 100.

The fastener portion of the magnetic placard 300D includes one or morefasteners 930. The one or more fasteners 930 may be hooks, pegs, orrivets. The one or more fasteners are used to couple a document 935 tothe magnetic placard 300D. The one or more fasteners 930 may project outand up in an upward fashion.

The document 935 includes one or more holes 940 that are respectivelyreceived by the one or more fasteners 930 of the fastener portion 920 ofthe magnetic placard 300D. The one or more fasteners 930 hold a side ofthe document 935 coupled to the magnetic placard 300D.

The document 935 may a temporary parking permit, a name for a reservedparking space, or a more permanent annual parking pass, for example. Thedocument 935 may include a support string. The fastener may be anupwardly projecting peg around which the support string may be wrapped.

Method of Using

Methods of using the magnetic placard holding systems to displayinformation from a rear view mirror in a motor vehicle are nowdescribed. In a first method, a method for displaying a placard from astem of a rearview mirror in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The methodincludes mounting a magnetic hanger to a stem of a rearview mirror;placing a magnetic portion of a magnetic placard near the magneticportion of the magnetic hanger; and allowing magnetic attraction toremovably couple the magnetic portions of the magnetic hanger and themagnetic placard together to display a display portion of the magneticplacard from the rearview mirror. The magnetic hanger includes amagnetic portion and a supporting portion configured to hook onto thestem of the rearview mirror.

The magnetic placard comprises a magnetic placard adapter coupled to ahook portion of a non-magnetic placard. The magnetic placard adapter hasa first fastening half and a second fastening half coupled together by afolding hinge. The first fastening half has a first magnetic jaw and afirst tab with a hook fastening material. The second fastening half hasa second magnetic jaw and a second tab with a loop fastening material.The magnetic placard adapter is coupled to the non-magnetic placard byspreading apart the first fastening half and the second fastening halfof the magnetic placard adapter; butting an outer arc of a hook portionof the non-magnetic placard against the folding hinge; folding the firstfastening half and the second fastening half along the folding hingearound the hook portion of the non-magnetic placard; and squeezingtogether the first tab with the hook fastening material and the secondtab with the loop fastening material to couple the hook fasteningmaterial and the loop fastening material together in an opening betweenthe hook portion and the display portion of the non-magnetic placard.

The magnetic hanger may be coupled to the rearview mirror in variousways. In accordance with one embodiment, the mounting of the magnetichanger to the stem of the rearview mirror includes horizontally aligninga slotted opening with the stem of the rearview mirror; horizontallysliding the slotted opening over the stem up to a slanted edge of themagnetic hanger; and allowing the magnetic hanger to drop down andcouple a semi-circle edge of the supporting portion of the magnetichanger to the top portion of the stem. In accordance with anotherembodiment, the method of mounting the magnetic hanger to the stem ofthe rearview mirror includes vertically aligning a slotted opening withthe stem of the rearview mirror; vertically sliding the slotted openingover the stem up to a slanted edge of the magnetic hanger; following theslanted edge into a semicircle edge of the magnetic hanger; and allowingthe magnetic hanger to ratchet around the stem such that the magneticportion of the magnetic hanger is below the stem and the supportingportion of the hanger is above the stem.

Conclusion

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat the embodiments of the invention not be limited to the specificconstructions and arrangements shown and described, since various othermodifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

While this specification includes many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of the disclosure or of what maybe claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific toparticular implementations of the disclosure. Certain features that aredescribed in this specification in the context of separateimplementations may also be implemented in combination in a singleimplementation. Conversely, various features that are described in thecontext of a single implementation may also be implemented in multipleimplementations, separately or in sub-combination. Moreover, althoughfeatures may be described above as acting in certain combinations andeven initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimedcombination may in some cases be excised from the combination, and theclaimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variationsof a sub-combination. Accordingly, the claimed invention is limited onlyby patented claims that follow below.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for connecting a placard to therearview mirror of a motor vehicle, the rearview mirror having a stem,the apparatus comprising: a magnetic hanger with a side slotted openingconnectable to the stem of a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle, themagnetic hanger having a supporting portion and a magnetic portion; amagnetic placard having a magnetic portion, a neck portion coupled tothe magnetic portion, and a display portion coupled to the neck portion;a first magnetic member disposed in the magnetic portion of the magnetichanger; a second magnetic member disposed in the magnetic portion of themagnetic placard; wherein the first and second magnetic memberscooperate to effect a magnetic connection of the magnetic placard to themagnetic hanger to removeably hang the magnetic placard from the stem ofthe rearview mirror.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstmagnetic member is iron filings, magnetic powder, or a magnet; and thesecond magnetic member is a magnet, magnetic powder or iron filings. 3.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display portion of the magneticplacard is a clear plastic envelope to receive and display a documentfrom a rear view mirror.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thedisplay portion of the magnetic placard is a fastening portion includingone or more fasteners to receive and display a document from a rear viewmirror.
 5. A method for displaying a placard from a stem of a rearviewmirror in a motor vehicle, the method comprising: mounting a magnetichanger to a stem of a rearview mirror, the magnetic hanger having amagnetic portion and a supporting portion configured to hook onto thestem of the rearview mirror; placing a magnetic portion of a magneticplacard near the magnetic portion of the magnetic hanger; and allowingmagnetic attraction to removably couple the magnetic portions of themagnetic hanger and the magnetic placard together to display a displayportion of the magnetic placard from the rearview mirror.
 6. The methodof claim 5, wherein: the magnetic placard comprises a magnetic placardadapter coupled to a hook portion of a non-magnetic placard; themagnetic placard adapter having a first fastening half and a secondfastening half coupled together by a folding hinge, the first fasteninghalf having a first magnetic jaw and a first tab with a hook fasteningmaterial, the second fastening half having a second magnetic jaw and asecond tab with a loop fastening material.
 7. The method of claim 6,further comprising: spreading apart the first fastening half and thesecond fastening half of the magnetic placard adapter; butting an outerarc of a hook portion of the non-magnetic placard against the foldinghinge; folding the first fastening half and the second fastening halfalong the folding hinge around the hook portion of the non-magneticplacard; and squeezing together the first tab with the hook fasteningmaterial and the second tab with the loop fastening material to couplethe hook fastening material and the loop fastening material together inan opening between the hook portion and the display portion of thenon-magnetic placard.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein: the mounting ofthe magnetic hanger to the stem of the rearview mirror includeshorizontally aligning a slotted opening with the stem of the rearviewmirror; horizontally sliding the slotted opening over the stem up to aslanted edge of the magnetic hanger; and allowing the magnetic hanger todrop down and couple a semi-circle edge of the supporting portion of themagnetic hanger to the top portion of the stem.
 9. The method of claim5, wherein: the mounting of the magnetic hanger to the stem of therearview mirror includes vertically aligning a slotted opening with thestem of the rearview mirror; vertically sliding the slotted opening overthe stem up to a slanted edge of the magnetic hanger; following theslanted edge into a semicircle edge of the magnetic hanger; and allowingthe magnetic hanger to ratchet around the stem such that the magneticportion of the magnetic hanger is below the stem and the supportingportion of the hanger is above the stem.
 10. The method of claim 5,wherein: the magnetic portion of magnetic hanger includes iron filings,magnetic powder, or a magnet; and the magnetic portion of the magneticplacard includes magnet, magnetic powder, or iron filings.